Improvement in lock-hinges



H. M. RALSTON.

Look-Hinge.n

No. 206,897. Patented Aug. I3, 1878.

TTORN EY6 N.FETERS. PHQTo-UTHOGRAPNER. wASMmGToN u C UNITED STATES PATENT OEEICE,

HARPER M. R-ALSTON, OF FAIRVIEW, VEST VIRGINIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN LOCK-HINGES.

Specification forming part of Leiters Patent No. 206,897, dated August 13, 1R73; application filed January 1S, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARPER M. RALsTON, of Fairview, in the county of Hancock and State of Test Virginia, have invented'certain new and useful Improvements in Hinges for Window-Shutters; and l do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention has for its object to furnish a shutter-hinge which will make a firm lock and hold the shutter open, and which may bc readily unlocked and the shutter closed when desired; and it consists in an angular base formed on the pin or axis, and an angular socket formed in the sleeve or knuckle of the hinge, and in a cam-lever pivoted to the stationary strap below the angular base of the pin or axis, and in other minor details of construction, all of which will be hereinafter more fully set forth and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is a view of the upper and lower hinges, partly in section, showing the straps in the positions they occupy when the shutter is open and locked. Figs. 2 and 3 show the construction of the stationary or fixed straps of both upper and lower hinges. Fig. 5 shows the hinges in position when the shutter is closed. Fig. 4 is the cam for unlocking the hinge; and Figs. 6, 7, and S are detail views.

A and B are the upper and lower hinges, composed of the straps G,which are affixed rigidly to the casing, and are provided with the pins or axes C C', and straps D, provided with the sleeves or boxes D D', which are affixed to and turn with the shutter on the pins or axes G of the straps C, asin ordinary shutter-hin ges.

The pins or axes C' are formed with angular (by preference rectangular) bases a', which are made slightly tapering upward, as shown, and the under portion, al, of the sleeves or boxes D are made angular and slightly flaring, to adapt them to fit snugly down over the bases a. The upper part, c2, of the sleeves D is round, and lits snugly on the round part of the pins C', as in hinges of ordinary construction.

The pin of the upper hinge is made longer than the pin of the lower hinge for the purpose of givin gfacilities for the formation thereon of a projection or stop, a?, arranged so as to permit the necessary vert-ical movement of the shutter, as hereinafter described, and for preventing the shutter from being accidentally unhinged, and to facilitate the movement oi' placing the shutter on the hinges.

a4 is the vertical side groove formed in the sleeve of the upper hinge, so that the latter may readily be slipped down over the projection a3 and onto its pin C.

lVhen the straps of the hinges are coupled, the angular sockets al will, it' not obstruct-ed, slip down onto the angular bases a and lock the shutter in its position.

b is a horizontal projecting pin formed j ust below the angular base of the pin C' on the fixed strap of the lower hinge. It forms the axis of the unlocking-cam, hereinafter described.

The swinging or revolving strap of the lower hinge is formed with a cam-surface, c, on its side, and is provided with the point or pin c', projecting from its outer end, as shown.

E is the cam by which the hinges are unlocked and the shutter closed. It turns on the pin I), where it is held by any suitable means. Itis provided with a handle, El, and with a finger or projection, E2, arranged as shown. It is so formed that when the shutter is closed it will hold the sockets al up clear of the bases a, and when the shutters are open will let the sockets down on the bases.

The operation of the device will be readily understood by reference to the drawings. Fi g. l represents the shutter open and locked by the angular sockets ittin g snugly down on the angular bases. By pressing down the handle of the cam, the shutter is lifted vertically till the angular sockets al clear the bases a. The finger E2 then comes against the cam-surface c, and causes the shutter to swing to. Without the nger c the shutter would have t0 be taken hold of by the hand in order to close it.

Vhen closed the weight of the shutter is supported on the top of the cam, whichismade dat for the purpose. The pin a3 comes behind the n ger E2, and holds the cam so that it cannot be turned by its handle.

The shutter is opened by pressure applied to the outer edge, and as it swings open the weight thereof causes1the cam to turn into the position shown in Fig. l, and thereby let the sockets down onto the bases of the pins C.

I am aware that shutter-hinges have been constructed and used which lock when open, and which are unlocked by a vertical movement of the socket or journal on the pin or axis, and I do not claim, broadly,such a movement as my invention but,

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters latent, is-

1. A shutter-hingc constructed with an angular base to its pin or axis, and with an angular socket part way through its sleeve, adapted to fit down over the angular hase ot' the piu or axis. substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

my own I affix my signature in presence ot' two witnesses.

HARPER M. RALSTON.

\Vi t nesses:

It. H. BROWN, J. W. PLATTENBI'RG. 

